ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Wednesday Jan 22, 2020

Nigel Owens strikes chord with call for change in substitutions

Referee Nigel Owens’ suggestion to limit the number of substitutions in a match has proven to be a popular change to the laws amongst the rugby world.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the Welshman posited the idea that fewer substitutions would encourage smaller players that are capable of playing 80 minutes.

World Rugby is always seeking to make the game safer, particularly in reducing head injuries and concussions, and a number of law amendments have been implemented to achieve this.

This suggestion by Owens is one that has been discussed over the years by players, fans and those that can affect such changes, and is one that does not directly change the laws of the game in open play.

However, over the past decades, rugby has progressively gone the other way, increasing the number of permitted substitutions. There may not be a correlation, but the average weight of players has significantly increased as well.

ADVERTISEMENT

With teams currently allowed to make eight substitutions, it means that half the starting XV are unlikely to play the entirety of the match. As a result, the belief is that this leads to bigger players and therefore bigger collisions throughout a match.

Moreover, it has also been highlighted that more substitutions mean that there are more encounters between fresh players and those that are fatigued, which can also lead to more injuries.

ADVERTISEMENT

This potential change to the laws is not universally supported, however, as some feel that the changes in size and strength of the players will be negligible, and worse still, the more tired they become the more sloppy their technique will be, which can also cause injuries.

Just like the new 50:22 law that is being trialed in various parts of the world, it is hard to judge whether any ideas will be successful unless they are tried.

There are other areas of the game which could be also addressed, chiefly regarding rucking, but Owens has touched upon something which seems to already have a lot of support.

Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

Comments




Related Articles

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Montage of HUGE hits and brilliant tries...

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata scores audacious try

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Wild scenes in Toulouse as Portugal seal last gasp comeback win over Fiji

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Monster hit from Perrin leaves Bristol Bears player stunned

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Posolo Tuilagi's massive tackle lights up Top 14

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Theo Dan in the centre of 'punch' storm as possible infringement missed

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Seriously impressive Courtney Lawes compilation released after England player calls time on international career

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Compilation video shows Jamie George's surprising box of tricks

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Eddie Jones reported to have negotiated return to Japan national side

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Rees Zammit hits Olympic level as 100m sprint time is officially finally released

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Streaker causes major bust up as he tackles player

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Luke Cowan-Dickie left red faced after losing very costly bet

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Mack Hansen proves once again that he is a hero in Ireland

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Irish players brilliantly take the p*** out of Sexton on plane intercom

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Brilliant video of Andy Farrell readying the Irish troops for battle

View All

Amateur

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 70 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 71 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Transfer News: George North to take considerable talents to France

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Tom Foley takes break from officiating international matches following death threats

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    James Haskell shares thoughts on 'best mate' Owen Farrell

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    The key change Steve Borthwick has made to England squad selection

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Siya Kolisi opens up about stabbing incident in powerful interview with Dan Biggar

View All